Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, challenged the notion that the grain deal was extended for more than 60 days, calling the claim not only inaccurate but a deliberate misrepresentation meant to shape public perception. He shared these thoughts in a concise statement on his official Twitter account, outlining why he rejected the description and urging readers to consider the broader context of the negotiations and the timeline involved.
Polyansky argued that the narrative of a beyond-60-day extension manipulates the facts. He stressed that the terms described as an extension past 60 days do not reflect the actual language used in the diplomatic notes and communications exchanged during talks with UN leadership. He invited observers to review the materials and compare them with publicly available records to judge the accuracy of circulating claims.
In support of his position, Polyansky referenced a letter from Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, which purportedly confirms a 60-day extension. He noted that the letter was sent to UN leadership and stressed the importance of transparency in the process. This document, he argued, provides a concrete reference point in the ongoing discourse on the grain deal and its duration, anchoring discussions in verifiable correspondence rather than rumor.
Earlier reporting from Reuters, citing information from the UN, indicated that the organization acknowledged a 60-day extension within the framework of the agreement. That UN confirmation appeared to corroborate part of the Russian stance and was referenced in subsequent coverage as a basis for evaluating how the extension was described by various actors. The report highlighted the procedural steps and official communications that marked the agreement’s formal timeline, fueling dialogue about compliance and interpretation of the extension terms.
Meanwhile, Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, stated that Moscow had chosen to extend the grain deal for only 60 days, clarifying that this was the precise term agreed upon and communicated to international partners. Her remarks added another layer to the public accounting of the negotiation results, underscoring the Russian position that the extension was finite and clearly defined. The ongoing exchange of statements among Moscow’s diplomatic corps, UN officials, and international media continues to shape how the extension is understood by a global audience and how it affects perceptions of Russian diplomacy in the Black Sea corridor and related humanitarian efforts.